Wichita eagle., 1887-05-10
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1ai1Y eagle
WOMAN AND HONE.
CORNSTAlkS FOR INTERIOR DECO
RATIONS.

Pug Dogs Us. Little Chiidren-Econons
and Self Denial-Lifc in the Country.
Happiness without WeaItI-Hygienic
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
In log cabin farm houses, and even iii still
humber homes, it is possible to introduce
aesthetic effects by a free use of cornstallss
for interior decorations. No one can have
failed to notice the rich golden color and
satin sheen of cornstalks in the late autumn
season. Their lightness of weight fits them
admirably for the purpose we have just lndi-
Gated, while in the mere matter of exterior
finish they are scarcely inferior to bamboo
cane.
Let rs illustrate by taking the simplest log
cabin with upholstered walls and bare raft
erS. uDou which the floor Of the second story
perhaps "a mere Ioft-rests, thus answering
the double purpose Of fOoring and ceiling.
In order to conceal the unsightly clinking of
mud or Dlaster which fills the intcrSticeS be-
tween tie logs, dado is the first device, or
rather waiasc0Jmg.
TIE stalls are selected of uniform thick
ness, and are then cut into such lengths as
may be desired for the height of the wains-
coting. The cutting must be done with great
accuracy; it is best to cut each stalk by lay
ing against pine selected dS
Another set of stalks is now to be cut, and
these form the ceiling decoration. The width
between the rafters furnishes the model for
the length of these stalks, for we are now
speaking of the most primitive form of log
cabin-one which has not even a plastered
ceiling
II paper is not too expensive for the upper
wall surface. the cheapest quality of muslin
can first be tackled around the four sides Of
the room above the intended wainscoting, and
a low priced wall paper of desirable tint ap
piled; or coarse muslin of some pretty shade
may furnish the covering without the ad-
dition of paper. The cheapest quality of
crimson cheese cloth makes handsome back
ground in contrast with the yellow corn-
stalks.
For the wainscoting these are applied
simply by means of long brads driven through
the stalks Immediately into the logs around
the four walls. The upper ledge will Of course
be perfectly smooth and even if the sticks
have been carefully cut. As a finish for the
top, cornstalks are to be laid along this ledge
transversely, and also secured 10y long brads.
This finishes the wanscoting, unless one
wishes to add to the security of the part next
the floor by thin strip of pine wood.
Since it costs nothing except few hours
labor, one may well try the experiment, if
only for the sake of the beautiful aesthetic ef-
feet If preferred, narrow shelf may run
around the room at the dead of the wains-
coting, particularly if it be sufficiently high
not to interfere with tie furniture On such
q shelf bits of bric-a-brac may be arranged to
great advantage. The polished surface of
the stalks easily prevents the accumulation OF
dust.
The sticks for the ceiling are laid between
the rafters, and secured to the planks by
brads, making a solid surface, and repeating
the effect of tie wainscoung, except for the
division formed 10y the rafters.
A hostess who deplored the poverty of a
primitive country home in chinked log
house, which it was impossible to keep tidy,
with the dust perpetually sitting from the
walls, was glad to avail herself of this means
of Identifying her home, which a guest with
ready ingenuity had suggested. The pam |
eled ceiling was also a great boon, since it |
deadened the sound in the story above the |
living room The ease with which these corn |
stalks can be manipulated makes them de- |
sirable for simple summer cottageS at water |
inc places But we have not yet exhausted |
their decorative utility.
Cut into short lengths-say OF about twelve |
inches-they make n beautiful covering for
the outside OF jardinieres or window boxes
for plants. On festive occasions, when
mantel decoration is desirable, have slight
wooden or stout pasteboard box made to fit
the shelf, or place several boxes in row on
the shelf, and secure an upright row Of stalks
to their outer surface, leaving them either Of
uniform height, or sloping them gently from
the middle to each end OF the mantc! Fill
the boxes with sand slightly mOistened, and
arrange flowers 70 suit tho taste. Such an
:mproyised nantel jardiniere filed with
masses Of one kind of Gowers is unique III its
beauty.
Where there are sufficiently broad window
sills pasteboard box may lie selected of such
a size rs viii easily fill the space. Cover both
sides-frout and back-with short stalks, fiji
with moist sand, and they viii serve as re-
ceptacles for any sort of flowers, repeating |
the effect Of the mantelpiece Ii there are |
low bookcases iii the room, utilize the same |
suggestion in their decoration, i'll this case
choosing narrow boxes, placing them along |
the edges, and decorating the front surface |
only OF the boxes. On a certain festive coca |
sion the flower boxes for mantel shelf, win |
dow sills and low bookcases, running around |
n handsome room, were covered with corn |
stalks and filed with crowded masses of large |
field daisies Whether in the glow OF sunlight |
or the glimmer of gaslight. the result was SO
exquisite that it excited the admiring COM |
merits of every guest who saw 1t.
The simplest pine stick needed as support
for a screen is at once made TO assume an
appearance of great elegance by grouping
around il several cornstaiks i'll cluster, and
securing them firmly to the central support
by ribbon or wire. This is a valuable sug-
gestion for fancy fairs, where there are
numerous devices needed for concealng the
rough framework of the tables.
1t need scarcely be said that at harvest feS-
tivals nothing is more beautiful III the dis
play of autumn fruits and flowers than erect
cornstalks grouped i'll a mass each bearing
its burden Of golden fiuitage. For decora-
tive fringe on such occasions cars Of ripened
corn. with the husks turned back, may be
used with a charming seffect.-liarpers bazar.
Touching Nerve Centers.